2018 Luna Vineyards Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Napa Valley 750 ml

Ever since Luna Vineyards opened their doors with a young John Kongsgaard as their winemaker, they’ve made some of the best Chardonnay in Napa. Before he was famous for his own 100-point Chardonnay bottlings, he developed Luna’s style into the envy of their neighbors, with bold, brassy bottlings that flaunt big fruit and rich textures, enlivened by enough freshness to keep it all fun.

That tradition continues today with Luna’s Winemaker’s Reserve, a 95-point bottling that Jeb Dunnuck called “classic Napa Valley goodness” for its effusive flavors and rich, full-bodied texture. Unlike their founding winemaker’s own Chardonnays, which sell for $300+, Luna’s pricing has remained modest, meaning you can enjoy their top white for just $40 per bottle—a fraction of what their peers charge.

Luna’s wines have been some of our members’ favorites over the years for just that reason, and we’re finally able to bring their bottles back into the fold. Despite the demand caused by Dunnuck’s 95-point review, our enduring relationship ensured we had first dibs on an allocation—and now you’ve got a chance at it, while our allocation lasts.

Green-flecked gold in the glass, the wine is anything but shy on the nose. It’s that classic Napa mélange of ripe stone fruits, accented by exotic spices, buttered toast, and a hint of vanilla. The palate makes it louder, with an opulent, rich texture and flavors that announce themselves in bold voices and don’t want to leave. In other words, it’s a perfect bottle of Napa Chardonnay for anyone who wants an up-front, thrill-ride from start to finish.

Luna Vineyards has one of the finest eyes for Napa winemaking talent. They previously tapped100-point winemaker John Kongsgaard, now of his eponymous label, and then Abe Schoener, founder of the Scholium Project, to helm their forward-looking winery. Current winemaker Shauna Miller fits neatly in that tradition, having trained under Napa legends Philippe Melka and Julien Fayard before taking over at Luna.  

For her Winemaker’s Reserve, Shauna uses all the tools in Luna’s arsenal. The grapes come from their expertly farmed estate vineyards in Napa, which contribute richness and texture. They’re then blended with wines from Carneros, which add brightness and levity. The wine is barrel-fermented and aged in 40% new French oak, both expensive steps that add texture, spice, and complexity—but that cost isn’t reflected in the final price.

Like the great Luna Chardonnays of the past, it looks like the 2018 is going to go down as an absolute classic. Make sure to stock this golden treat in your cellar while it lasts.